Improvement in body-loop attachments for vehicles



1. W. SINGLETON.

1mprovement in Body-Loop Attachment for Vehicles. No. 131,471.

Patented Sep.17, 1872.

i'lvinnb Srnfrns FFICE.

JAMES W. SINGLETON, OF QUINGY, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BODY-LDCP ATTACHMENTS FOR VEHICLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 131,471, dated September 17', 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. SINGLETON, of Quincy, in the county of Adams and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loop Attachments for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompany ing drawing.

Nature and Objects of the Invention.

The invention relates to providin g the ends of the loops upon which the body of a vehicle is hung with rectangular keys, the sides of which have a common inclination toward each other from the top of the key, which,'with the shank, ts snugly into and upon a lock-plate,

on the spring-bar, and is provided with a shoulder and guards to receive the key, the sides of which lock-plate and also ofthe guards being properly flared, the several parts being so arranged that the key and lock-plate cannot be separated except by forcing the former from between the guards of the latter, and at the same time the lock-plate aiiords the key a support on the shoulder as well as on the inner surfaces of the guards. The object of the invention is to provide a means of attaching the loop to the spring-bar in a secure manner, and to dispense with bolts for that purpose.

Description of the Accompanying Drawing.

Figure 1 is a view showing the method of attachment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view. Fig. 4 is an end view.

General Description.

A in the accompanying drawing is4 a at piece of metal or other suitable material formed into a key, and which may be constructed on the end of the loop, or made separate and properly secured thereto. The sides of the key are inclined toward each other, and are also slightly dared outward as far as the tip of the key, the sides of which are vertical, though the sides of the key may be ilared from end to end. The key is thus wider at the extremity of its tip than at any other point, and is so formed that the inner vertical surface of the tip stands at right angles to the lower surface of the shank 0. The length of the shank C of the key should exceed the width of the lock-plate, upon which the key is to be used, a distance equal to the thickness of the material of the tip B, and should also be reduced by an incline and shoulder, a, as shown at Fig. 1, so as to permit the key to be readily adjusted. The lock-plate D consists of a piece of metal or other suitable material construct ed so as to form a rectangular recess on its inner surface, and having a corresponding shoulder, F, on its outer surface, superposed upon which, and equal in width thereto, are provided the guards E, which incline from end to end toward each other, are properly ared inward, and are otherwise adapted to receive the key A in close impact between them. These guards E are so arranged that when the key A is inserted between them they serve to prevent its removal in an upward direction, and also to afford a bearing to the sides of the shank C, thus co-operating with the shoulder F to resist traction toward the center of the loop. The upward movement is prevented by the flared part of the key A coming in contact with the ilared sides of the guards E, and also because the extremity of the tip B is too wide to be drawn between the sides of the guards E. The traction of the center of the loop is sustained by the tip B acting upon the shoulder F, and also, inasmuch as the shank C is so constructed that it cannot be drawn toward the center of the loop between the adjacent portions of the guards, the key A and Operation.

Each spring-bar of the vehicle is provided with the lock-plate D, secured thereto in a proper manner, so that the shoulder F stands at the upper front or upper rear edge, respectively, of the front and Vrear spring-bar. The key A, one of which is provided at each end of the loop, is secured` between the guards E by placing the key so that its tip B stands beyond the outer vertical face of the lock-plate D, and then drawing the shank C through the guards E until the inner surface of the tip comes in contact with the outer vertical face of the lock-plate D, thus attaching the parts,

e mmm which may be further connected and secured to the springbar by a bolt passing through the apertures :v and y. If the spring-bars are attached tothe springs the above may be accomplished, as stated, by simply inclining the springs toward each other, in order to permit the tip of the key being` placed beyond the lock-plate D. To remove the key A force it back until the -shoulder a comes in contact with the rear of the lock-plate; then raise the key diagonally upward, which frees it from the guards E; or, When the shoulder at is in contact With the rear of the lock-plate, depress the tip B over the lower edge of the vertical face of the lock-plate and raise the key. To remove the key A When the spring-bars are mounted upon the springs it is only necessary to hold the loop irmly and incline the springs toward each other either simultaneously or separately, which permits the key to be withdrawn, as above set forth. In case a bolt be employed it should be first removed before attempting to release the key A.

Claim.

as above described, I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of June, 1872.

JAS. W. SINGLETON.

' Witnesses:

Tues. T. WOODRUFF, HARRY 00X. 

